As Essex Cricket secured their first County Championship win of the season, a new team has been at work behind the scenes.
Three hospitality trainees have started their placements at the Cloudfm County Ground as part of a ten-week programme with employment and skills specialist Seetec, working towards customer service and food safety qualifications.
Charlotte Lee, 20, from Billericay, who studied at Writtle College and initially worked with horses, said: “I hadn’t previously considered hospitality but it’s really interesting working here, I like the atmosphere and the experience.
“I’ve been working in the bar, serving drinks and taking money. I hope to get a job at the cricket club at the end of my placement.”
Cara Chapman, 17, from Ramsden Heath, was also looking for her next step and heard about the traineeships from a friend. She said: “I really like it and I’m learning new things about catering every day, I’ve been working in the Premier Suite, Executive Boxes and pulling pints at County Corner bar. I will definitely be looking for catering jobs when my traineeship ends.”
Darrell Fox, Essex Cricket Commercial Manager, explained: “Giving young people a chance to get into employment is very rewarding and we’ve watched many of our previous hospitality trainees grow their skills and confidence and go on to become valuable members of our catering staff.”
Essex-based Seetec helps the Club to recruit the trainees and provides ongoing support and training. Tutor Sarah Checketts from Seetec said: “The trainees are already on the ball, developing their knowledge, confidence and communication skills to become valued members of the hospitality team.
“We have been working with Essex employers for over 30 years to help them develop a talent pipeline to drive their business forward.”
